Easy to Moderate
Hiking, snowshoeing, possible horseback riding.
I live in a tiny town called Mason. I prefer to travel back roads where the views are unspoiled and the roads a bit uneven. One of those sneaky back roads is Darling Hill. The Greenville side is full of quirky houses filled, I like to imagine, with fascinating people I would like to know. There is a hiking trail sign on the side of the road which I have, for years, thought was someone’s driveway.
I had messed up my foot, so I loaded Ruby and Rusty in the car and went for an explore. To my surprise the sign was not on a driveway but a little dirt road leading to…
This lovely gem is courtesy of the Brookwood Ecology center.
A little research led me to Pippin. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fitchburg/obituary.aspx?n=pippin-traudel-kellogg-roe&pid=171957995
I loved the picture of her. However her Facebook page chilled me. https://m.facebook.com/pippinmemorial
For Pippin’s sake I hope she will appreciate my wanting to share this trail.
The yellow travels down a steep hill to a boggy pond with a delightful stream. If the hill is too steep, the blue trail veers off on the ridge and eventually joins the yellow.
So a few trees, you know I love trees, before crossing the road to the rest of the yellow.
Part II. The Eastern side of the road and the rest of the yellow trail.
I parked on the side of Fox Road. Not sure if this was appropriate but the trail takes off from a driveway on the other side of Darling Hill and I did not want to park there..
This side looks to be newer. Not as traveled, and whoever marked it, knew what they were doing.
The trail travels behind a hay field. There are signs that perhaps there was a dwelling in the woods at some point.
And then a hidden treasure. A swimming pond. Though word of caution, my swimming Rusty would not go in.
And should you need shelter?
We opted to turn around instead of heading toward the road. So as we leave, I will present you with more trees.
